Sess. 1907-8.] An Account of a Brachydactylous Family. 
49 
Feet. 
The feet are slightly shorter than normal, the shortness being due 
solely to the abortive middle phalanx and the somewhat stunted growth of 
the first. 
The metatarsus is practically normal, thus differing from the metacarpus. 
The greatest variation is in the first phalanx of the big toe, this bone being 
so far shortened as to become cubical, and in Nos. 18 and 99 the shortening 
goes even further. 
The middle phalanx in the other toes has become ankylosed to the 
terminal one, and this union is more general or occurs at an earlier stage in 
the foot than in the hand, though the hand as a whole is more abnormal. 
In No. 118 there is an absence of the basal epiphysis of the first 
“ phalanx ” of the big toe, though it is conspicuous in the first phalanx of 
each of the other toes, so that this bone appears really to be homologous 
with the second phalanx of the other toes. 
There does not seem to be a single instance of a resemblance to the 
“ midparent” of Galton, but, on the contrary, the inheritance is always 
“ exclusive ” and never blended, and probably never particulate. 
The thigh and leg are all slightly shorter than normal, though they are 
practically proportioned to the stature. 
Thus shortness is much more marked in the hands, particularly the 
fingers, than in any other part of the body. 
Measurements. — The following measurements have been taken, the 
number giving the averages in inches : — 
Middle finger. 
(1) Adults: — 
(a) Males. Normals, 3 r %: excess = l T 7 g. 
Abnormals, Iff. 
( b ) Females = Iff and 3 excess = 1 T %. 
(2) Adolescents: — 
Normals (male and female), 3 inches : excess = 1^. 
Abnormals (male and female), Iff. 
The middle finger of the normals is thus seen to be nearly twice as 
long as that of the abnormals. 
The hand. — The figures are : — 
(1) Adult male , 7J and 5J : excess about 1J inches. 
Adult female , 6^ and 5^: excess = 1^. 
(2) Adolescents, 6f and 5 : excess = j. 
VOL. XXVIII. 
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